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    NEO Preparedness: What You Need To Know

    NEO Preparedness: What You Need To Know

    Photo By Lance Cpl. Kelcey Seymour | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – In the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region, which is prone to...... read more read more

    CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – In the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region, which is prone to natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes and incorporates countries with conflicting national policies, being familiar with Non-combatant Evacuation Operations procedures is important.
    NEOs are the preparations and processes of evacuating non-essential U.S. citizens, military families and Department of Defense personnel from dangerous situations overseas to a designated safe haven.
    Marine Corps Installations Pacific Public Affairs sat down with Darlene Robinson, an evacuation, disaster, humanitarian relief program manager with Marine Forces Pacific. She agreed to an interview about the basics of what families stationed abroad should know about evacuations.
    Q: What can cause an evacuation to be ordered?
    A: It could be several things. It could be a natural disaster, man-made disaster or civil unrest. Disasters can come at any time so we need a plan of action in case we are ordered to evacuate.
    Q: Who will issue the evacuation?
    A: The U.S. Department of State directs evacuations, but ultimately it’s the president that decides an evacuation is necessary.
    Q: Who will be evacuated?
    A: American citizens, Department of Defense contractors and military family members will be evacuated. Depending on the situation, non-essential service members may be evacuated as well.
    Q: How will the alert go out to the families?
    A: We are working to establish wardens in the Marine Corps. The MCIPAC command will alert the wardens and the wardens will alert the families. The families will be told that an evacuation is pending and when and where they need to go to.
    Q: How should families prepare in case of an evacuation?
    A: Attending one of the free NEO classes will help pass on all the information they need. They should also participate in evacuation drills on their bases.
    Q: Are there any mandatory forms that families have to fill out when they come to this area of operations?
    A: There is a new order signed by MCIPAC Commanding General Brig. Gen. Paul Rock Jr. and III Marines Expeditionary Force Commanding General Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson called the III MEF/MCIPAC NEO ORDER 3500.1 that declares all service members will complete emergency evacuation packets for themselves and their families.
    The order was signed and distributed Aug. 18. It states that any service member checking into a unit has 30 days to complete the packet. It will be part of their check in process and an inspectable item for the units.
    Q: What will happen during an evacuation? What should families do?
    A: The families should have the evacuation packet filled out. They should also have an emergency kit prepared with important documents in it. Ensure all records for children and pets are up-to-date. All pets must be registered with the Kadena veterinarian office and have a proper pet carrier.
    If a military member is a single parent, their family care plan should outline who will have power of attorney over their children in transit and when they are state side.
    Q: What can be taken in an evacuation?
    A: Every person is authorized to take one carry-on backpack and one suitcase weighing up to 66 pounds or 30 kilograms. Two pets per family can come with you. Have your important documents in the backpack so that it is always with you, because your suitcase may be sent straight to your final destination.
    Q: What is the process for people with medical conditions or women who have high-risk pregnancies?
    A: If you require medications that you must have, make sure that you have a 90-day supply. Depending on how far along a woman is in a pregnancy, or if she is a high risk pregnancy, the hospital will determine if she needs to be medically evacuated. Navy corpsmen will be at evacuation centers to determine those cases.
    Q: What will the evacuation process be like?
    A: Everyone will be checked in and given tracking bracelets. They will be flown to a predetermined destination where they will be checked in again before flying to a final destination of their choosing. I always recommend the final destination be somewhere close to family. If your luggage and pets aren’t at the final destination when you land, they will be delivered to the address listed in your evacuation packet.
    Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
    A: I would urge everyone to come to the classes so they may receive the information first hand and ask questions. The packets should also be filled out. It will help in the long run if everything is done before it is truly needed. You don’t want to be scrambling if an evacuation is called and you haven’t prepared.
    More information on evacuation conditions, rally points and emergency kits can be found at www.mcipac.marines.mil/living-in-okinawa or at one of the free monthly classes set up by your family readiness officer.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.12.2017
    Date Posted: 09.18.2017 00:52
    Story ID: 248367
    Location: JP

    Web Views: 89
    Downloads: 0

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